Eswatini’s top four football teams have written a letter to the Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) complaining about the issue of playing against the security forces teams into the new season after the shooting and killing of civilians.
This comes after King Mswati unleashed his forces on unarmed civilians who were demanding democratic reforms.
The four teams include Mbabane Swallows, Mbabane Highlanders and Manzini Wanderers.
The security forces have formed football clubs that are affiliated with the PLE. These are Royal Leopards (Police),Young Buffalos (Army) and Green Mamba (Warders).
In a statement sent to this Swaziland News, the country's big four said their players and supporters were not mentally fit to engage in sporting activities with the armed forces teams after the recent brutality that was unleashed by the same forces on unarmed civilians.
“Mentally football is supposed to help improve concentration,boost mood and reduce stress while building good friendship and working togather.However,these have been dented by the forces brutality on unarmed civilians including football supporters of the teams”,reads the statement in part.
Efforts to the reach, Mark Carmichael the Chairman of the Premier League of Eswatini proved futile at the time of compiling this report.
When reached for comments, Mbongiseni Shabangu, the Secretary General of the Swaziland Democratic Party (SWADEPA) said the PLE needed to immediately act on the matter.
“It's not for the first time sports institutions backed up the people's call. It's reasonable and justified. PLE needs to have balls and act on the matter immediately,” said the SWADEPA Secretary General.
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